When it is too hot to play outside, an indoor play fort can be a great idea. Flat sheets are big enough to make a decent tent, thin enough to let light/air through, and lightweight enough not to slump downward too badly. And if your child has play fort sheets of their own, you don't have to worry about your good blankets and sheets getting dirty. Here's a quick, easy way to transform an old sheet into a fancy roof or walls for a kiddo hideout using just a bleach pen.
What I Used:
--Bleach pen (Clorox brand, two ounces for about $3. For one twin sheet, I used about 3/4 of the pen.)
--Twin flat sheet (I found a blue 100% cotton one at a thrift store for $3.)
This is a simple project that doesn't need a set of instructions, yet I discovered some aspects that I'll definitely keep in mind when I do this project again...
Project Tips:
--Rubber gloves, old clothes, and some safety goggles are a good idea, especially if your older kids are helping with the project.
--Hold the pen tip-downward and gently shake the gel to the end to make sure it is ready to flow before you start. (The only way to erase a stray mark is to wash the whole piece of fabric as quickly as possible.)
--Periodically close the cap and shake the pen to ensure the gel remains well blended.
--The longer the gel is on, the more it bleaches but also the more it feathers and spreads. Therefore, if you start at one end of the fabric and work your way to the other, the stars probably aren't going to look the same throughout. Start at the center and work your way outward while moving in a circular pattern.
--Our glass patio table was a perfect workspace because I didn't get a backache as I would have if working on the ground. I also didn't have to worry about bleach seeping through. I just hosed it off well when I was done.
A gentle squeeze makes a thin, translucent line.
When it bleaches out (just a few minutes), the line is tidy.
Squeeze a little harder and the opaque gel pools.
Pooled bleach will seep, giving a thick, uneven line and a feathered effect.
Once I finished applying the gel, I hung the cloth on a clothesline. That helped me see the overall pattern so I could fill in sparse spots. It also allowed the gel to dry so it wouldn't smear when I bundled it into the washer.
A blue sheet with stars is just a start. Flat sheets (and tablecloths) are fairly cheap at thrift stores and you can let your imagination loose. What about a green sheet with leaf shapes? A dark blue sheet with ocean waves? A pink sheet with flowers for an indoor garden?
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